Excessive reading and watching of the news can not only lead to discomfort, but also cause physical ailments such as fatigue, pain and digestive problems, according to a new study published Wednesday by The Jerusalem Post. “Yes, we are aware of the irony of writing about this study in the news,” the newspaper adds.

Keeping track of information can be harmful

According to lead author Bryan McLaughlin, constantly tracking information can put the recipient in a constant state of heightened alertness, making the world seem like a dark and dangerous place to them.

The researchers described “problematic news consumption” as a type of addiction. They drew conclusions based on a study conducted on a group of 1,100 American adults. Among other things, they were asked about the extent to which they agreed with statements such as “I’m so absorbed in the news that I forget the world around me” or “I often don’t pay attention at school or at work because I read or watch the news”.

In addition, subjects were asked how often they felt stressed or anxious and physical complaints such as fatigue, physical pain and stomach problems related to following the news. About 16.5% of respondents fell into the “seriously problematic news consumption” category.

It also hurts to completely cut off the information

However, the researchers pointed out that being completely cut off from information could lead to important health or safety messages being overlooked and impairing the ability to be an informed citizen.

The study’s authors also pointed out that economic pressures, technological advances and the 24-hour news cycle have led many media professionals to focus on selecting stories that have the best chance of success. grab attention, even if they don’t contain high-impact information. .

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